Even The Devil Loves His Children

Chapter Five

Tayen hung out with Leanne, Yusuf, and Sirius for a while before she went to go see Abe. It was always nice to catch up with her friends, not that she had many. She pulled out her phone and texted Sirius quickly.

Text the regulars for drinks at the guest house, I’ll cover with Abe

She walked into Abe’s office and smiled at him. “The Ivanovs are absolutely terrible and Yusuf has to take over. But, do not worry, I will make friends and find out the … things,” Tayen announced. Abe frowned, “Why do I immediately think of a giant party that will undoubtedly upset the neighbours?” he asked uneasily. Tayen gaped and clutched her chest, “I would never!” she exclaimed in offence.

Abe raised a brow, and Tayen dropped her arm. “Okay, fine. But Si said he soundproofed the guest house after last time, so no big deal,” she shrugged. Abe shook his head and heaved a sigh, “Tayen, you just got out of rehab,” he reminded her. “Your point?” Tayen asked innocently.

Abe rolled his eyes. “Give Terry a list of supplies, I won’t have you emptying my whiskey supply again,” he relented. Tayen grinned, “Will do. Terry!” she called. Terry came out from the side room, as she knew he would, and she told him what they would need.

……

“You’re going to love it,” Tayen gushed to Kat. “There’s drinks, and games, and boys- or girls, if that’s what you like-“

“Unless Tayen gets them all,” Leanne interrupted. Tayen shot her a playful glare and fixed Katya’s hair. “Ignore her.” She snapped. “You’ve done it once. Remember when-“

“Anyway, don’t be nervous. You can stick by me if you want. I’ll introduce you and you can find friends,” Tayen told Kat. Kat gulped as Tayen gave her a once over and nodded confidently. “You look perfect. Let’s go.”

The three girls left and met up with Sirius, Nikolai, and Yusuf. Sirius handed them a shot and kissed Tayen on the cheek. “This is pregame, newbies. Hope you’re ready!” Sirius announced as he held up his own shot glass. They cheersed and took their first drinks of the night.

“So, love, how long until we can sneak out?” Sirius stage whispered to Tayen. Tayen shoved him and groaned, “God, you’re relentless!” she cried.

“That will only be the first time you mention Him tonight,” Sirius grinned. Tayen glared at him, “You’re disgusting, you know that?” she demanded.

“And what you gunna do about it?” Sirius challenged.

Tayen kicked out a foot to hook his ankle, but Sirius maneuvered to dodge and bumped her, so Tayen fell on her a**. She then reached out and pulled his leg, pulling him down with her.

“Should we… stop them?” Nikolai asked Yusuf nervously. Yusuf shook his head while Tayen was thrown onto a table, breaking it. “Nah, just let them get it out. They do this every time. It’s early tonight, though,” Yusuf noted, looking at his watch.

Tayen grabbed Sirius’s arm and twisted it behind his back, but Sirius pulled himself out and elbows her in the gut. Tayen grabbed his hair and slammed his head onto the now broken table.

“That’s enough!” Abe snapped as he entered the room. Tayen stood straight and held her hands behind her back, and Sirius scrambled up to do the same. “Sir,” the both chimed.

“As much as it pains me to interrupt your little… get together. I need you two for a job,” Abe told them as he walked closer. He leaned down and stared at Tayen, then held up a breathalyzer, “Blow, I need you clear headed for this one, Albi,” he ordered her. “Yes, sir,” Tayen mumbled.

Since she only had the one shot, she was fine to go. “Where are we going?” she asked. “Just a visit to our friends at Cherney Industries. I’ve heard some… troubling news about their business plans. You are just going to drop in and let them know I will be pursuing a… hostile takeover,” Abe explained vaguely, looking right at Tayen. Tayen managed to hide her nervousness, and nodded.

She hadn’t been expecting to go back out this early. Especially not for a job like this. Missions abroad were no problem, she’d go for a vacation, slip out of a party quickly, do the job, and get back to the party before anyone noticed she was missing. Then she’d visit a few tourist traps, and head home while investigations were just starting. Local jobs were harder, what with the police wanting to catch them for a couple decades and all. They were under constant scrutiny with both local and federal law enforcement. Which meant the job had to be perfect, no one could recognize them and it had to be done quickly.

Sirius lead Tayen out of the room and they walked toward the car already out front. He stopped her just outside the doors and looked her over, “Are you ready for this? Cause I can go in alone if aren’t,” he offered in concern. Tayen swallowed and shook her head, “I’ll be fine.” She whispered. Sirius frowned, obviously doubting her, but nodded and opened the passenger door for her.

Tayen grabbed the tablet left for them and read the profile quickly. “Thomas Cherney, 45, third gen CEO of CI. That sound tell you everything,” Tayen scoffed. “Um… Let me think… first one builds the business, second brings it to success, and third burns it, right?” Sirius clarified. Tayen hummed and scrolled through. “The Boy King inherited the throne, and almost bankrupted it in five years-Wow, that’s a record- and so he went and created a Board… Oh, that’s why he’s angry. Dude is trying to sell to Erik Azarion,” Tayen told Sirius.

Sirius paled and winced, “So this isn’t a friendly reminder visit,” he muttered. “Nope…” Tayen trailed off and dropped the tablet.

“Demon, you do not have to be involved. I know you and Erik … have history,” Sirius offered again. Tayen sighed and shook her head, “I’ll be fine.” She repeated as she pushed her hair out of her face. “It’s fine. Erik only ghosted me when I did that big job for Abe while we were on a getaway. I’m fine. I’m sure he’s happy or whatever,” Tayen rambled bitterly.

“He’s probably more angry and bitter than you are. If even one person recognizes you…” Sirius trailed off and shuddered. “I f***ing dare him,” Tayen growled. She tied up her hair and grabbed a bag out of the backseat. Inside was a mini arsenal, along with gloves, shoes, hats, and medical masks.

“Robbery cover?” She asked Sirius. “Yeah, this is a pretty good neighbourhood to pull it off with. We’ll hit up another house to make it stick,” he agreed. They pulled in a couple blocks away, and Tayen put everything in her purse.

“So is Erik the reason you needed rehab?” Sirius asked casually. Tayen ignored him and pulled out the hats. She handed one to Sirius, then put on her own and pulled the bill down so her face was obscured. “Erik was just pissed that Abe trusts me more than his father trusted him. His fragility is not my problem. Right here.” Tayen snapped.

They walked around the house and found the balcony door unlocked. Once they put on the gloves, they walked in and looked around quickly, and Tayen was relieved that there weren’t any cameras inside. She quietly closed the balcony door and locked it. They went to the front and saw Thomas in his office.

Tayen pulled the g** out of her purse and held it up. “Evening, Tommy Boy,” Sirius grinned. He pulled off his hat and sat across from Thomas. “I hear you’ve been playing a very dangerous game of ‘F*** around and find out’ with the Bossman,” Sirius continued. Thomas paled and looked at Tayen.

“I-I took a meeting, please,” he pleaded, his hand moving slowly to go underneath his desk.

“Press that button and you’ll die a slow death,” Tayen barked. Thomas pulled his hands up from the top of the desk to beside his head. “S***, I royally messed up, didn’t I? When did you get back?” he croaked. “Tonight, and you ruined my plans.” Tayen glared from underneath her hat.

“I only met with Erik once, and I turned him down,” Thomas whimpered. Tayen threw her bag to Sirius, and he pulled out the tablet. Sirius scrolled for a few seconds, then began a recording.

“God, I can’t wait to get out of Abe’s thumb. He keeps pressing me to go for this energy drink, but it’s turning me into a friggin joke.” Thomas’s voice said from the tablet.

Tayen pulled back the hammer and aimed for Thomas’s abdomen. “If I pull, right now, the damage will be lethal, and you’ll be d*** before the cops get here… But it’ll be pretty painful,” Tayen warned him. “I suggest you start telling us the truth.”

“Fine!” Thomas yelled. “Erik offered money for info on your dad, but I couldn’t tell him anything. But after I said he wanted energy drinks, Erik jumped for a buyout,” he admitted. Tayen tilted her head, and Sirius looked at her curiously.

“Stand up,” Sirius ordered. Thomas stood and barely made it around his desk with how his knees were shaking.

Sirius herded Thomas toward the front entrance, and Tayen walked back toward the kitchen. Sirius held Thomas in place, and Tayen stared at them. “Love, we don’t have time for this,” Sirius warned. The g** shook in her hands, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Sirens blared in the distance, and Tayen swallowed. “Damn it! I knew it-“

BANG!

Tayen dropped dropped the g** and it clattered, sending Tayen back in time.

The helicopter blades sounded closer, and the bl**e bounced off of the floor. She pushed her hair back with her bl***y hands, smearing it through the strands. She swallowed and tried to swallow the sob that burned her chest. She hated this, she hated Abe.

“OI! YOU! LET’S GO!” Sirius yelled at her. Tayen startled and picked up the g**, then began to grab the most expensive looking things she could get her gloved hands on. She quickly shoved them in her pockets, and the purse Sirius handed her, then they high tailed out of there. They hopped fences and hid in a shed for a few minutes.

“You froze twice,” Sirius hissed in her ear. “I’m sorry,” she breathed out. He let out a rough breath and rested his head on her shoulder. “I’m going to quickly hit up this house,” he told her.

Tayen suddenly reached out and held him, “Be careful,” she begged. Sirius kissed the top of her head, “Always am,” he said before running out. He left the shed door open a bit, and she watched the back door anxiously.

Sirius came back out without anyone waking up. Tayen ran out and they put the stuff he grabbed into her purse, then ran away before the cops could catch up.